Glow in the Dark Absorbent Article

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an article to be worn about a wearer including features that glow in the dark, are illuminative, are light emitting, or are reflective. Theses features may assist in the identification, location, entertainment, or changing of the wearer, as well as assist in the location of a fresh diaper for changing in a low light environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/379,857, filed Mar. 5, 2003, which is a continuation of InternationalApplication PCT/US01/25986 filed on Aug. 20, 2001, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/231,603, filed Sep. 11,2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an absorbent article with glow inthe dark indicia features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent articles for personal care products such as diapers are widelyused consumer products. The major function of diapers and otherabsorbent articles is to prevent bodily waste from soiling, wetting, orotherwise contaminating clothing or other articles, such as bedding. Thelarge demand for such products has inspired manufacturers to provideimproved versions of the products. In the past considerable effort hasbeen made to increase the comfort and performance of absorbent articlessuch as diapers. Effort has also been made to improve the visual appealand use of absorbent articles by the consumer.

Absorbent articles often incorporate features to either assist thecaregiver fitting the article to a wearer, or provide an appearance thatis aesthetically pleasing. Further, absorbent articles, particularlydiapers, are often changed by a caregiver in a low light or dimly litenvironment in order to minimize the disturbance to the wearer.Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a product incorporatingfeatures that generates appeal to the wearer. The illuminative substancemay optionally providing a useful function for the person fitting orremoving the article from the wearer, particularly in a low lightenvironment.

One desirable advantage of the present invention is to provide anabsorbent article having useful illuminative properties whichparticularly include a visible surface that glows in the dark. Thesurface may be fully illuminative, partially illuminative, or containilluminative designs or indicia. Yet another desirable characteristic ofthe Applicant's invention is to provide illuminative designs toentertain small children. Another desirable characteristic may be toassist the caregiver in providing care in a low light environment.Another desirable characteristic of the Applicant's invention may be oprovide an illuminative absorbent article that may be easily andefficiently manufactured and marketed. It is a further desirablecharacteristic of the present invention to provide a new cost effectiveilluminative absorbent article which is of a durable and reliableconstruction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an absorbent article such as a diapercomprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core interposedbetween the topsheet and the backsheet including at least oneilluminative substance. The illuminative substance used may bephosphorescent, fluorescent, reflective, or other illuminative type asdisclosed herein. The illuminative substance may enhance the appearanceof the article and/or assist in the application and removal of thearticle from the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is hereinafter fully described and claimed. Theaccompanying drawings and the following disclosure describe in detailthe invention. Such drawings and disclosure illustrate but one of thevarious ways in which the invention may be practiced. These and otherfeatures, aspects and advantages of the present invention as describedand claimed will become better understood with the accompanying drawingswhere:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article of the present inventionhaving a portion cut away to reveal a possible underlying structure, thebody-facing surface of the article facing the viewer.

FIG. 2 is a view of an absorbent article outer-surface with a landingzone.

FIG. 3 is a view of an absorbent article backsheet and optionaladditional second sheet of material interface and structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to provide a new absorbent articleincluding glow in the dark features that exhibit decorative and/orfunctional attributes. The glow in the dark features described hereinare equally applicable to absorbent articles such as training pants,adult incontinence products, or a preferred embodiment, diapers.

As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to devices whichabsorb and contain body exudates and, more specifically, refers todevices which are placed against or in proximity to the body of thewearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from thebody. The term ‘disposable’ is used herein to describe absorbentarticles which generally are not intended to be laundered or otherwiserestored or reused as absorbent articles (i.e., they are intended to bediscarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, compostedor otherwise discarded in an environmentally compatible manner). A“unitary” absorbent article refers to absorbent articles which areformed of separate parts united together to form a coordinated entity sothat they do not require separate manipulative parts like a separateholder and/or liner. A preferred embodiment of an absorbent article ofthe present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent article,diaper 20, shown in FIG. 1. As used herein, the term “diaper” refers toan absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent personsabout the lower torso. The present invention is also applicable to otherabsorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinenceundergarments, absorbent inserts, diaper holders and liners, femininehygiene garments, wipes, mops, bandages and the like.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in aflat-out, state with portions of the structure being cut-away to moreclearly show the construction of the diaper 20. The portion of thediaper 20 which faces the wearer is oriented towards the viewer. Asshown in FIG. 1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid previoustopsheet 24; a liquid impervious backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28which is preferably positioned between at least a portion of thetopsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; side panels 30; elasticized leg cuffs32; an elastic waist feature 34; and a fastening system generallydesignated 40. The diaper 20 is shown in FIG. 1 to have a first waistregion 36, a second waist region 38 opposed to the first waist region 36and a crotch region 37 located between the first waist region 36 and thesecond waist region 38. The periphery of the diaper 20 is defined by theouter edges of the diaper 20 in which longitudinal edges 50 rungenerally parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 20and end edges 52 run between the longitudinal edges 50 generallyparallel to the lateral centerline 110 of the diaper 20.

The chassis 22 of the diaper 20 comprises the main body of the diaper20. The chassis 22 comprises at least a portion of the absorbent core 28and preferably an outer covering including the topsheet 24 and/or thebacksheet 26. If the absorbent article comprises a separate holder and aliner, the chassis 22 generally comprises the holder and the liner. (Forexample, the bolder may comprise one or more layers of material to formthe outer cover of the article and the liner may comprise an absorbentassembly including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core. Insuch cases, the holder and/or the liner may include a fastening elementwhich is used to hold the liner in place throughout the time of use.)For unitary absorbent articles, the chassis comprises the main structureof the diaper with other features added to form the composite diaperstructure. While the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, and the absorbentcore 26 may be assembled in a variety of well known configurations,preferred diaper configurations are described generally in U.S. Pat. No.3,860,003 entitled “Contractible Side Portions for Disposable Diaper”issued to Kenneth B. Buell on Jan. 14, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued toBuell on Jun. 22, 1993; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,145 entitled “AbsorbentArticle With Multiple Zone Structural Elastic-Like Film Web ExtensibleWaist Feature” issued to Roe et al. on Sep. 10, 1996; U.S. Pat. No.5,569,234 entitled “Disposable Pull-On Pant” issued to Buell et al. onOct. 29, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,411 entitled Zero Scrap Method ForManufacturing Side Panels For Absorbent Articles” issued to Nease et al.on Dec. 3, 1996; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,306 entitled “Absorbent ArticleWith Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels” issued to Robles et al.on Dec. 21, 1999; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The backsheet 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20 positionedadjacent garment facing surface 45 of the absorbent core 28 whichprevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from soilingarticles which may contact the diaper 20, such as bedsheets andundergarments. In preferred embodiments, the backsheet 26 is imperviousto liquids (e g urine) and comprises a thin plastic film such as athermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) toabout 0.051 mm (2.0 mils).

Suitable backsheet films include those manufactured by TredegarIndustries Inc. of Terre Haute, Ind. and sold under the trade namesX15306, X0962 and X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials may includebreathable materials which permit vapors to escape from the diaper 20while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 26.Exemplary' breathable materials may include materials such as wovenwebs, nonwoven webs, composite materials such as film-coated nonwovenwebs, microporous films such as manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., ofJapan under the designation ESPOIR NO and by Exxon Chemical Co., of BayCity, Tex., under the designation EXXAIRE, and monolithic films such asmanufactured by Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio under the nameHYTREL blend P18-3097. Some breathable composite materials are describedin greater detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746 30 published onJun. 22, 1995 in the name of E. I. DuPont; U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,648issued on Aug. 17, 1999 to LaVon et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,823 issuedon Feb. 2, 1999 in the name of Curro; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,096 issuedto Dobrin et al. on Nov. 5, 1996. Each of these references is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

The backsheet 26, or any portion thereof, may be elastically extensiblein one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 maycomprise a structural elastic-like film (“SELF”) web. A structuralelastic-like film web is an extensible material that exhibits anelastic-like behavior in the direction of elongation without the use ofadded elastic materials and is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No.5,518,801 entitled “Web Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Behavior”issued to Chappell, et al. on May 21, 1996, and which is incorporatedherein by reference. In alternate embodiments, the backsheet 26 maycomprise elastomeric films, foams, strands, or combinations of these orother suitable materials with nonwovens or synthetic films.

The backsheet 26 may be joined to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core 28or any other element of the diaper 20 by any attachment means known inthe art. (As used herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurationswhereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixingthe element directly to the other element, and configurations whereby anelement is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the elementto intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the otherelement.) For example, the attachment means may include a uniformcontinuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an arrayof separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. One preferredattachment means comprises an open pattern network of filaments ofadhesive as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986 entitled “DisposableWaste-Containment Garment”, which issued to Minetola et al. on Mar. 4,1986. Other suitable attachment means include several lines of adhesivefilaments which are swirled into a spiral pattern, as is illustrated bythe apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173 issued toSprague, Jr. on Oct. 7, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker,et al. on Nov. 22, 1978; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666 issued to Wereniczon Jun. 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein byreference. Adhesives which have been found to be satisfactory aremanufactured by H. B, Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn. and marketed asHL-1620 and HL-1358-XZP. Alternatively, the attachment means maycomprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamicmechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinationsof these attachment means as are known in the art.

The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent body surface 47 of theabsorbent core 28 and may be joined thereto and/or to the backsheet 26by any attachment means known in the art. Suitable attachment means aredescribed above with respect to means for joining the backsheet 26 toother elements of the diaper 20. In one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are joineddirectly to each other in some locations and are indirectly joinedtogether in other locations by directly joining them to one or moreother elements of the diaper 20.

The topsheet 24 is preferably compliant, soft-feeling, andnon-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of thetopsheet 24 is liquid previous, permitting liquids to readily penetratethrough its thickness. A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from awide range of materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams,apertured plastic films, or woven or nonwoven materials of naturalfibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyesteror polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and syntheticfibers. If the topsheet 24 includes fibers, the fibers may be spunbond,carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed asis known in the art. One suitable topsheet 24 comprising a web ofstaple-length polypropylene fibers is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., aDivision of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Mass. under thedesignation P-8.

Suitable formed film topsheets are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,135,entitled “Absorptive Structures Having Tapered Capillaries” issued toThompson on Dec. 30, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,246 entitled “DisposableAbsorbent Article Having A Stain Resistant Topsheet” issued to Mullane,et al. on Apr. 13, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,314 entitled “ResilientPlastic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties” issued to Radel, et al. onAug. 3, 1982; U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,045 entitled “Macroscopically ExpandedThree-Dimensional Plastic Web Exhibiting Non-Glossy Visible Surface andCloth-Like Tactile Impression” issued to Ahr, et al. on Jul. 31, 1984;and U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,394 “Multilayer Polymeric Film” issued to Bairdon Apr. 9, 1991. Other suitable topsheets 30 may be made in accordancewith U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643 issued to Curro et al. onSep. 2, 1986 and Dec. 16, 1986, respectively, and both of which areincorporated herein by reference. Such formed films are available fromThe Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as “DRI-WEAVE” and fromTredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Ind. as “CLIFF-T.”

Preferably, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is made of ahydrophobic material or is treated to be hydrophobic in order to isolatethe wearer's skin from liquids contained in the absorbent core 28. Ifthe topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, preferably at least aportion of the upper surface of the topsheet 24 is treated to behydrophilic so that liquids will transfer through the topsheet morerapidly. The topsheet 24 can be rendered hydrophilic by treating it witha surfactant or by incorporating a surfactant into the topsheet.Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant includespraying the topsheet 24 material with the surfactant and/or immersingthe material into the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such atreatment and hydrophilicity is contained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,344entitled “Absorbent Articles with Multiple Layer Absorbent Layers”issued to Reising, et al. on Jan. 29, 1991 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,345entitled “Absorbent Articles with Rapid Acquiring Absorbent Cores”issued to Reising on Jan. 29, 1991. A more detailed discussion of somesuitable methods for incorporating a surfactant in the topsheet 24 canbe found in U.S. Statutory Invention Registration No. H1670 published onJul. 1, 1997 in the names of Aziz et al. Each of these references ishereby incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the topsheet 24may include an apertured web or film which is hydrophobic. This may beaccomplished by eliminating the hydrophilizing treatment step from theproduction process and/or applying a hydrophobic treatment to thetopsheet 24, such as a polytetraflouroethylene compound like SCOTCHGUARDor a hydrophobic lotion composition, as described below. In suchembodiments, it is preferred that the apertures he large enough to allowthe penetration of aqueous fluids like urine without significantresistance.

Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be coated with a lotion as is knownin the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,607,760 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having ALotioned Topsheet Containing an Emollient and a Polyol PolyesterImmobilizing Agent” issued to Roe on Mar. 4, 1997; U.S. Pat. No.5,609,587 entitled “Diaper Having A Lotion Topsheet Comprising A LiquidPolyol Polyester Emollient And An Immobilizing Agent” issued to Roe onMar. 11, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,191 entitled “Diaper Having ALotioned Topsheet Containing A Polysiloxane Emollient” issued to Roe etal, on Jun. 3, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,588 entitled “Diaper Having ALotioned Topsheet” issued to Roe et al. on Jul. 1, 1997; and U.S. Pat.No. 5,968,025 entitled “Absorbent Article Having a Lotioned Topsheet”issued to Roe et al. on Oct. 19, 1999. The lotion may function alone orin combination with another agent as the hydrophobizing treatmentdescribed above. The topsheet 24 may also include or be treated withantibacterial agents, some examples of which are disclosed in PCTPublication No, WO 95/24173 entitled “Absorbent Articles ContainingAntibacterial Agents in the Topsheet For Odor Control” which waspublished on Sep. 14, 1995 in the name of Theresa Johnson, Further, thetopsheet 24, the backsheet 26 or any portion of the topsheet orbacksheet may be embossed and/or matte finished to provide a more clothlike appearance.

The topsheet 24 may comprise one or more apertures 80 to easepenetration of exudates therethrough, such as urine and/or feces (solid,semi-solid, or liquid). The size of at least the primary aperture 80 isimportant in achieving the desired waste encapsulation performance. Ifthe primary aperture 80 is too small, the waste may not pass through theaperture, either due to poor alignment of the waste source and theaperture location or due to fecal masses having a diameter greater thanthe aperture 80. If the aperture 80 is too large, the area of skin thatmay be contaminated by “rewet” from the article is increased. Typically,the aperture 80 should have an area of between about 10 cm² and about 50cm². The aperture 80 preferably has an area of between about 15 cm² and35 cm².

Further, the topsheet 24 may be fully or partially elasticated or may beforeshortened so as to provide a void space between the topsheet 24 andthe core 28. Exemplary structures including elasticized or foreshortenedtopsheets are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,536 issuedto DesMarais et al. on Jan. 9, 1990 entitled “Absorbent Article HavingElastic Strands”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,147 issued to Freeland on Feb. 5,1991 entitled “Absorbent Article With Elastic Liner For ‘Waste MaterialIsolation”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,416 issued to Allen et al. on Aug. 6,1991 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having ElasticallyExtensible Topsheet”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,775 issued to Freeland etal. on Dec. 14, 1993 entitled “Trisection Topsheets For DisposableAbsorbent Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles Having SuchTrisection Topsheets”; each of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material which isgenerally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer'sskin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine andother certain body exudates. The absorbent core 28 may be manufacturedin a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass,“T”-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and may comprise a wide variety ofliquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and otherabsorbent articles such as comininuted wood pulp, which is generallyreferred to as airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materialsinclude creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers, including coform;chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers;tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams;absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials;or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials.

The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 may also bevaried (e.g., the absorbent core(s) or other absorbent structure(s) mayhave varying caliper zones, hydrophilic gradient(s), a superabsorbentgradient(s), or lower average density and lower average basis weightacquisition zones; or may comprise one or more layers or structures).Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core 28 aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled “High-Density AbsorbentStructures’ issued to Weisman et al. on Sep. 9, 1986; U.S. Pat. No.4,673,402 entitled “Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores” issuedto Weisman et al. on Jun. 16, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735 entitled“High Density Absorbent Members Having Lower Density and Lower BasisWeight Acquisition Zones” issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989; U.S.Pat. No. 4,888,231 entitled “Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layerissued to Angstadt on Dec. 19, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,537 entitled“Absorbent Structure Containing Individualized, Polycarboxylic AcidCrosslinked Wood Pulp Cellulose Fibers” issued to Herron et al. on Aug.11, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345 entitled “High Efficiency AbsorbentArticles For Incontinence Management” issued to Young et al. on Sep. 15,1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,338 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article ForLow-Viscosity Fecal Material” issued to Roe on Aug. 30, 1994; U.S. Pat.No. 5,260,345 entitled “Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Body Fluidsand Absorbent Articles Containing Such Materials” issued to DesMarais etal. on Nov. 9, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,207 entitled “Thin-Until-WetAbsorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Body Fluids And Process For MakingSame” issued to Dyer et al. on Feb. 7, 1995; and U.S. Pat. No, 5,625,222entitled “Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Fluids Made From HighInternal Phase Emulsions Having Very High Water-To-Oil Ratios” issued toDesMarais et al. on Jul. 22, 1997. Each of these patents is incorporatedherein by reference.

The diaper 20 may also include a sublayer disposed between the topsheet24 and the 20 backsheet 26. (As used herein, the tent “disposed” is usedto mean that an element(s) of the diaper is formed (joined andpositioned) in a particular place or position as a unitary structurewith other elements of the diaper or as a separate element joined toanother element of the diaper.) The sublayer may be any material orstructure capable of accepting, storing or immobilizing bodily exudates.Thus, the sublayer may include a single material or a number ofmaterials operatively associated with each other. Further, the sublayermay be integral with another element of the diaper 20 or may be one ormore separate elements joined directly or indirectly with one or moreelements of the diaper 20. Further, the sublayer may include a structurethat is separate from the core 28 or may include or be part of at leasta portion of the core 28.

Suitable materials for use as the sublayer may include large cell openfoams, macroporous compression resistant nonwoven highlofts, large sizeparticulate forms of open and closed cell foams (macro and/ormicroporous), highloft nonwovens, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyurethanefoams or particles, structures comprising a multiplicity of verticallyoriented looped strands of fibers, absorbent core structures describedabove having punched holes or depressions, and the like. (As usedherein, the term “microporous” refers to materials which are capable oftransporting fluids by capillary action. The term “macroporous” refersto materials having pores too large to effect capillary transport offluid, generally having pores greater than about 0.5 mm in diameter and,more specifically, having pores greater than about 1.0 mm in diameter.)One embodiment of a sublayer includes a mechanical fastening looplanding element, having an uncompressed thickness of about 1.5millimeters available as XPL-7124 from the 3M Corporation ofMinneapolis, Minn. Another embodiment includes a 6 denier, crimped andresin-bonded nonwoven highloft having a basis weight of 110 grams persquare meter and an uncompressed thickness of 7.9 millimeters which isavailable from the Glit Company of Wrens, Ga. Other suitable absorbentand nonabsorbent sublayers are described in European Patent ApplicationNo. EP 0 847 738 A1 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article HavingCapacity to Store Low-Viscosity Fecal Material” published Jun. 17, 1998in the name of Roe and U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,864 entitled “DisposableAbsorbent Article Having Improved Fecal Storage” issued to Roe on Aug.24, 199, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.Further, the sublayer, or any portion thereof, may include or be coatedwith a lotion or other known substances to add, enhance or change theperformance or other characteristics of the element.

The diaper 20 may also comprise at least one elastic waist feature 34that helps to provide improved fit and containment. The elastic waistfeature 34 is generally intended to elastically expand and contract todynamically fit the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature 34preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from at least onewaist edge 62 of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms at least aportion of the end edge 52 of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers areoften constructed so as to have two elastic waist features, onepositioned in the first waist region 36 and one positioned in the secondwaist region 38. Further, while the elastic waist feature 34 or any ofits constituent elements may comprise one or more separate elementsaffixed to the diaper 20, the elastic waist feature 34 may beconstructed as an extension of other elements of the diaper 20, such asthe backsheet 26, the topsheet 24, or both the backsheet 26 and thetopsheet 24.

The elastic waist feature 34 may be constructed in a number of differentconfigurations 30 including those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,595issued to Kievit et al. on May 7, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,189 issuedto Lash on Dec. 1, 1987; U.S. Pat No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep.9, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993.Other suitable waist configurations may include waistcap features suchas those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,364 issued to Robertson onJun. 25, 1991 arid U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,025 issued to Foreman on Mar. 28,1989. All of the above mentioned references are incorporated herein byreference.

The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system 40. The fasteningsystem 40 preferably maintains the first waist region 36 and the secondwaist region 38 in a configuration so as to provide lateral tensionsabout the circumference of the diaper 20 to hold the diaper 20 on thewearer. The fastening system 40 preferably comprises a surface fastenersuch as tape tabs, hook and loop fastening components and/orhermaphroditic fastening components, although any other known fasteningmeans are generally acceptable. Some exemplary surface fastening systemsare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,594 entitled ‘Tape Fastening Systemfor Disposable Diaper” issued to Buell on Nov. 19, 1974; U.S. Pat. No.E1 4,662,875 entitled “Absorbent Article” issued to Hirotsu et al, onMay 5, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,815 entitled “Disposable Diaper HavingAu Improved Fastening Device” issued to Scripps on Jul. 11, 1989; U.S.Pat. No. 4,894,060 entitled “Disposable Diaper With improved hookFastener Portion” issued to Nestegard on Jan. 16, 1990; U.S. Pat. No.4,946,527 entitled “Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Fastener And Method ofMaking Same” issued to Battrell on Aug. 7, 1990; the herein beforereferenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993. An exemplaryinterlocking fastening system is disclosed in co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 09/143,184 entitled “Absorbent Article FasteningDevice” in the names of Kline et al. filed on Aug. 8, 1998. Thefastening system 40 may also provide a means for holding the article ina disposal configuration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,140 issuedto Robertson et al. on Oct. 16, 1990. The fastening system may alsoinclude primary and secondary fastening systems, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,699,622 entitled “Disposable Diaper Having An Improved SideClosure” issued to Toussant et al. on Oct. 13, 1987. to reduce shiftingof overlapped portions or to improve fit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,242,436 entitled “Absorbent Article With Fastening System ProvidingDynamic Elasticized Waistband Fit” issued to Weil et al. on Sep. 7,1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,978 entitled “Absorbent Article With DynamicElastic Waist Feature Having A Predisposed Resilient Flexural Hinge”issued to Buell et al. on Mar. 19, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,736entitled “Absorbent Article With Dynamic Elastic Waist FeatureComprising An Expansive Tummy Panel” issued to Clear et al. on Apr. 16,1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,152 entitled “Absorbent Article With DynamicElastic Waist Feature Having A Predisposed Resilient Flexural Hinge”issued to Buell et al, on Jan. 7, 1997. Each of these patents and theco-pending application are incorporated herein by reference. Inalternative embodiments, opposing sides of the article may be seamed orwelded to form a pant. This allows the article to be used as a pull-ontype diaper, such as a training pant.

The diaper 20 may also comprise side panels 30. The side panels 30 maybe elastic or extensible to provide a more comfortable and contouringfit by initially conformably fitting the diaper 20 to the wearer andsustaining this fit throughout the time of wear well past when thediaper 20 has been loaded with exudates since the elasticized sidepanels 30 allow the sides of the diaper 20 to expand and contract. Theside panels 30 may also provide more effective application of the diaper20 because even if the diaperer pulls one elasticized side panel 30farther than the other during application, the diaper 20 will“self-adjust” during wear.

While the diaper 20 of the present invention preferably has the sidepanels 30 disposed in the second waist region 38, the diaper 20 may heprovided with side panels 30 disposed in the first waist region 36 or inboth the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38. The sidepanels 30 may he constructed in any suitable configurations. Examples ofdiapers with elasticized side panels ale disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,857,067, entitled “Disposable Diaper having Shined Ears” issued toWood, et al. on Aug. 15, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,781 issued toSciaraffa, et al. on May 3, 1983; U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,753 issued to VanGompel, et al. on Jul. 3, 1990; the herein before referenced U.S. Pat.No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on Sep. 9, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274issued to Buell on Jun. 22, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,897 issued toLaVon, et al. on Sep. 23, 1997 entitled “Absorbent Articles ProvidingSustained Dynamic Fit”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,306 entitled “AbsorbentArticle With Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels” issued to Robleset al, on Dec. 21, 1999; each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

The diaper 20 preferably further includes leg cuffs 32 which provideimproved containment of liquids and other body exudates. Leg cuffs 32may also be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, orelastic cuffs. U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 describes a disposable diaperwhich provides a contractible leg opening having a side flap and one ormore elastic members to provide an elasticized leg cuff (a gasketingcuff), U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al. onFeb. 28, 1989 and Mar. 20, 1990, respectively, describe disposablediapers having “stand-up” elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) whichimprove the containment of the leg regions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,278 and4,795,454 issued to Lawson on Sep. 22, 1987 and to Dragoo on Jan. 3.1989, respectively, describe disposable diapers having dual cuffs,including gasketing cuffs and barrier cuffs. In some embodiments, it maybe desirable to treat all or a portion of the leg cuffs 32 with alotion, as described above.

Embodiments of the present invention may also include pockets forreceiving and containing waste, spacers which provide voids for waste,barriers for limiting the movement of waste in the article, compartmentsor voids which accept and contain waste materials deposited in thediaper 20, and the like, or any combinations thereof. Examples ofpockets and spacers for use in absorbent products are described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,514,121 issued to Roe et al. or May 7, 1996, entitled “DiaperHaving Expulsive Spacer”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,236 issued to Dreier etal. on Dec. 15. 1992 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having CoreSpacers’; U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,318 issued to Dreier on Mar. 14, 1995entitled “Absorbent Article Having A Pocket Cuff'; U.S. Pat. No.5,540,671 issued to Dreier on Jul. 30, 1996 entitled “Absorbent ArticleHaving A Pocket Cuff With An Apex”; PCT Application WO 93/25172published Dec. 3, 1993 entitled “Spacers For Use In hygienic AbsorbentArticles And Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Spacer”; U.S.Pat. No. 5,306,266 entitled ‘Flexible Spacers For Use In DisposableAbsorbent Articles” issued to Freeland on Apr. 26, 1994; and U.S. Pat.No. 5,997,520 entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article With SelectivelyExpandable or Inflatable Component” issued to Ahr et al. on Dec. 7,1999. Examples of compartments or voids are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,968,312 entitled “Disposable Fecal Compartmenting Diaper” issued toKhan on Nov. 6, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,147 entitled “AbsorbentArticle With Elastic Liner For Waste Material Isolation” issued toFreeland on Feb. 5, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,840, entitled “DisposableDiapers” issued to Holt et al on Nov. 5, 1991; and U.S. Pat. No.5,269,755 entitled “Trisection Topsheets For Disposable AbsorbentArticles And Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such TrisectionTopsheets” issued to Freeland et al on Dec. 14, 1993. Examples ofsuitable transverse barriers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,142entitled “Absorbent Article Having Multiple Effective Height TransversePartition” issued Sep. 10, 1996 in the name of Dreier et al.; PCT PatentWO 94/14395 entitled “Absorbent Article Having An Upstanding TransversePartition” published Jul. 7, 1994 in the name of Freeland. et al.; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,653,703 Absorbent Article Having Angular UpstandingTransverse Partition issued Aug. 5, 1997 to Roe, et al. Examples ofother structures especially suitable for management of low viscosityfeces are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,864 issued to Roe et al. onAug. 24, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,430 issued to Roe et al. on Nov. 2,1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,063 issued to Roe et al, on Jan. 11, 2000.All of the above-cited references are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

The absorbent article of the present invention may also at least oneilluminative substance. For example, the illuminative substance may be afluorescent substance, or a phosphorescent substance, or a reflectivesubstance which glows in the dark or is reflective. The illuminativesubstance may be disposed on an absorbent article surface orincorporated into any material used in the absorbent article.

Possible applications of the illuminative substance may include helpingthe caregiver in locating or identifying the wearer. The illuminativesubstance may also assist the caregiver in fastening the article aboutthe wearer. For example, the illuminative substance may aid in theengaging and disengaging of fasteners, as well as aligning the articlewith the wearer during fitting. In one embodiment the absorbent articlemay comprise a first waist region 36 or second waist region 38 whichcontain one or more illuminative substances. For embodiments includingleg cuffs 32, the leg cuffs 32 may include one or more illuminativesubstances. Further, any part of the fastening system 40 may alsoinclude one or more illuminative substances. In one embodiment, one ormore of the fastening tabs, landing zone 70, or both, may comprise oneor more illuminative substances.

The illuminative substance may comprise any suitable material whichglows or is reflective in a low light environment. Low lightenvironments may vary from less than typical visible ambient light to asubstantially dark environment. Examples of the illuminative substanceinclude phosphorescent, long after glow phosphorescent, reflective,light emitter, or fluorescent substances. The illuminative substance maybe for example a polycrystalline inorganic zinc sulphide which cancreate a green illumination or an alkaline earth sulphide which cancreate a red or blue illumination. In one embodiment the illuminativesubstance may further may be a Safe-Glo™ or premium Sparkle-Glo™ filmavailable from Coburn Corp. in New Jersey, or any of a family ofphoto-chemical compounds. Global Trade Alliance, Inc. in Arizona alsoprovides a series of phosphorescent substances that result in differentcolors and are considered a long after glow phosphorescent. Commercialexamples include PLO-7, PLO-6, PLO-4, PLB-7, PLB-6, SBG-8, SB-8, RR-7,RO-7, PLR-4, PLY-4, PLG-4, PLB-4. LUMI long afterglow photoluminescentpigment is an example of a new type of long decay phosphor that may alsobe used. The illuminative substance is also available from Global TradeAlliance in Arizona. Other suppliers of suitable illuminative substanceinclude Crystal Print Inc.

The absorbent article may also comprise two or more illuminativesubstances having contrasting illuminative properties. The contrast maybe treated by combining any of the above substances e.g. phosphorescentand fluorescent. Alternatively contrast may be treated by using twodifferent illuminative substances, using two or more differentbrightnesses of the same illuminative substance, using different colorsof illuminative substance, or by varying the application of theilluminative substance.

The illuminative substance may be included on any surface of theabsorbent article. For example, the illuminative substance maybe coatedon the backsheet outer-surface 261, the outermost surface of a secondsheet of material 701 attached to the backsheet outer-surface 261, theinnermost surface 702 of an additional second sheet of material 70, oranyplace else desired. Alternatively, the illuminative substance may becontained within any material which makes up a portion of the article.For example the illuminative substance may be contained in a clear,semi-clear, or opaque material used either as a backsheet 26, or as anouter second sheet of material 70 attached to the backsheetouter-surface 261, e.g., an outer second sheet of material 70 used as afastener landing zone. In another example, the illuminative substancemay be located between the optional second sheet of materialinner-surface 702 and the backsheet outer-surface 261.

A suitable backsheet 26 may comprise a backsheet inner-surface 262 whichfaces the absorbent core 28 and a backsheet outer-surface 261 whichforms all, or part of the exterior of the absorbent article. Thebacksheet outer-surface 261 may further comprise at least oneilluminative substance. The backsheet may also comprise a second sheetof material 70 on the backsheet outer-surface 261 which may serve as afastening landing zone. The landing zone 70 may have an outermostsurface 701 facing away from the article and an innermost surface 702facing the backsheet outer-surface 261. An example is shown in FIG. 3.

The backsheet 26 or second sheet of material 70 may further compriseindicia 77 formed by the illuminative substance. This indicia may bemost visible when illuminated by the illuminative substance in a lowlight environment, but may also alternatively be visible under normallight conditions. In one alternative the absorbent article 20 indiciumelements are visually related to each other such that the indiciumviewed under normal ambient lighting is different than when viewed inthe dark. For example an animal's eyes may appear open during the dayand shut at night. Alternatively, other light sources such as forexample ultraviolet light may also have the effect of changing orenhancing the indicia observed.

The absorbent article may also contain an outer second sheet of material70 on the backsheet outer-surface 261 which is treated with anilluminative substance. The illuminative substance may be on the outersurface of the second sheet of material 701, a component of the secondsheet of material 70, or on the second sheet of material inner surface702 facing the backsheet outer surface 261. Any alternative, couldfurther include a transparent or semi-transparent component of thecovering material. The illuminative effect maybe phosphorescent orfluorescent. In one embodiment the backsheet does not have a secondsheet of material 70 attached. Another embodiment would have the secondsheet of material 70 integrated into the absorbent article landing zoneattached to the backsheet 26. Still another embodiment would incorporateilluminative properties on to the absorbent article fastening tabs tofacilitate changing the article in a low light environment.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet including aliquid impervious material having an outer surface; an absorbent coreinterposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and at least oneilluminative substance selected from the group consisting ofphosphorescent, fluorescent and combinations thereof disposed on atleast a portion of said outer surface of said liquid imperviousmaterial.
 2. An absorbent article as described in claim 1, wherein theilluminative substance is reflective.
 3. An absorbent article asdescribed in claim 1, including at least two illuminative substanceshaving contrasting illuminative properties.
 4. An absorbent article asin claim 1, further comprising at least a second sheet of materialattached to the backsheet outer-surface.
 5. An absorbent article asdescribed in claim 4, wherein the second sheet of material is clear orsemi-clear.
 6. A absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheetincluding a liquid impervious material having an outer-surface and asecond sheet material having an outermost surface and an innermostsurface wherein said innermost surface faces said outer surface of saidliquid impervious material; an absorbent core interposed between thetopsheet and the backsheet; and at least one illuminative substanceselected from the group consisting of phosphorescent, fluorescent andcombinations thereof disposed between said liquid impervious materialand said second sheet material.
 7. An absorbent article as described inclaim 6 wherein said illuminative substance is disposed on said outersurface of said liquid impervious material.
 8. An absorbent article asdescribed in claim 6 wherein said illuminative substance is disposed onsaid innermost surface of said second sheet material.
 9. An absorbentarticle comprising: a topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet includinga film layer having an outer surface and a nonwoven layer having anoutermost surface and an innermost surface facing said outer surface ofsaid film layer; an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet andthe backsheet; and at least one illuminative substance selected from thegroup consisting of phosphorescent, fluorescent and combinations thereofdisposed on at least a portion of said outermost surface of saidnonwoven layer.
 10. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 whichis in the form of a pull-on diaper.
 11. An absorbent article asdescribed in claim 1 which is in the form of a training pant.
 12. Anabsorbent article as described in claim 1 which is in the form of adisposable diaper.
 13. A training pant comprising a topsheet, abacksheet including a liquid impervious material having an outer-surfaceand a nonwoven material having an outermost surface and an innermostsurface wherein said innermost surface faces said outer surface of saidliquid impervious material; an absorbent core interposed between thetopsheet and the backsheet; and at least one illuminative substanceselected from the group consisting of phosphorescent, fluorescent andcombinations thereof disposed on a portion of said liquid imperviousmaterial.